Summer fashion trends 2023: from beach to festival
Summer clothes, festival packing and pool outfits
Summer is finally here. Now’s the time to update your wardrobe with fresh new holiday looks that’ll work from beach and pool to city break packing and festival weekends.
Metallics, fringing, texture, uplifting prints, asymmetric swimwear, wideleg trousers, rave… discover the key pieces of clothes and fashion trends that are making a splash this season.
With inspiration coming from the Cruise resort collections, (sunshine and citrus shades were big at Stella McCartney and Gucci), Coachella’s sparkling-in-the-sunshine vibe and TikTok (clunky sandals are winning a huge following right now), we’ve got all the biggest looks to know – and where to find them at Fort Kinnaird.
Festival looks: rave, rock, double denim, enduring boho
1. Rave and day-glo
Bring some 90s dance to your festival look with tie-dye T-shirts from H&M, smiley face pendants (Claire’s and Pandora have some fun ones), sporty sunglasses, a bucket hat and retro trainers (head to schuh, Office and JD Sports).
Image provided by New Look
2. Rock chic
This look never goes out of style thanks to the queen of festivals, Kate Moss, who iconically paired tiny denim shorts with Hunter wellies with her old-school band T-shirt way back in 2005.
However, this season, it’s got a slightly cowgirl twist – think metallic cowboy boots from New Look or clumpy sandals from Clarks, fringing on your leather jacket or bag (try River Island) with distressed denim cut-offs (these are everywhere from Next to Primark).
Image provided by Primark
3. Double denim
This look is a winner with jeans/midi skirt/shorts being offset by a crop jacket. Mix and match bright colours or go for one simple shade (Marks & Spencer and H&M have amazing denim).
4. Enduring boho
The 70s Fleetwood Mac tribute shows no sign of disappearing (especially when paired with tousled dry-shampooed festival hair) so it’s all about Isabel Marant-style embroidery on tops and dresses (Primark), raffia bags (River Island), flat sandals or clogs (schuh), layered jewellery and beading with dreamy details (have a look at Claire’s, Pandora and TK Maxx).
Image provided by Primark
And don’t forget…
Hiking gear is in
Vogue paired its festival bikini top with a sensible fleece and parka – it’s all in the styling. It might be summer but it can still tip it down so ensure you’ve got a chic rainproof and style it out with short-shorts… try Fat Face, Trespass, Mountain Warehouse and Primark.
Image provided by Fat Face
Packing for a city break: oversize tailoring, midaxi dresses and late-night glam
1. Oversize tailoring
The street style from the fashion shows in Paris and London flagged up one major look: baggy, oversize trousers with crop top (see Bella Hadid for inspiration) or slouchy jeans worn with a blazer and a tee (see H&M). Pair it with centre-parted hair, narrow frame sunglasses (from TK Maxx) and trainers or flat sandals and you have the perfect outfit for effortless chic.
2. Midaxi dresses
Following on from the prairie dress, the midaxi is a slightly more laidback and flirtier with a hemline that stops just above the ankle. Whether going for 90s flowers or more graphic prints, this is the perfect buy for warm holiday evenings here and abroad (New Look and River Island have amazing collections right now).
Image provided by River Island
3. Late-night glam
From the Mugler H&M collection to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour sparkle, metallics, sequins and dazzle are the most luxe way to update your summer party nights. For instant high-end glam, check out River Island, New Look and, of course, H&M.
And don’t forget…
Accessories make the outfit
Oversize hairslides and opulent scrunchies from Claire’s, pearls in your braids (H&M are going big on this trend), a good pair of sunnies, a fanny pack (New Look have ones that give a hint of Chanel) and you’re good to go.
Image provided by River Island
Holiday pool and beach swimsuits and bikinis: prints, neutrals, asymmetric, crochet
1. Prints
Uplifting retro and geometric prints in bright hues are the perfect way to get in the holiday mood before you even reach the plane (Primark have some gorgeous tropical-inspired patterns while River Island has gone psychedelic with huge flowers).
2. Neutrals
Earthy hues of brown, terracotta and espresso are leading this season’s colour palette – where ruched in a 50s-style swimsuit or string bikini for serious influencer style (Marks & Spencer has this trend covered beautifully).
Image provided by Marks & Spencer
3. Asymmetric
One-shouldered designs for bikinis and swimsuits give instant Amalfi glamour (add a cutout midriff for extra points from Next and River Island).
4. Crochet
Crochet is everywhere this season at New Look and River Island – from bucket hats to dresses – so it makes sense it’s big in swimwear too – texture is another trend that’s going strong at H&M.
Image provided by River Island
And don’t forget…
A huge beach tote, a floaty cover-up (go for kaftan details, throw-over chiffon and statement dresses from Next, H&M and Primark) and wide-brimmed hats. Sandalswise choose between pastel Birkenstocks, wedges or Grecian crossovers (try schuh, Office and Clarks).
Image provided by Schuh.
Pampering and post-shopping brunch, lunch and cocktails
Need your nails, wax, brows and lashes sorted? Fort Kinnaird is the ideal place for a pre-holiday pamper with Superdrug’s in-store treatments and Elegance’s pre-holiday spray tans. For brunch and lunch, head to the newly opened chaiiwala, Pizza Express or wagamama or relax at the Odeon for a post-shopping movie.
Watch this space for new openings coming in 2023.
